In Penang, election time is also party time

GE13 WATCH Since the dissolution of Parliament on April 3, Penangites have been partying on a daily basis, what with free food and beer, sexily-clad performers, cultural shows, lucky draws and cash donations.

The nightly events held at various locations around the island are the courtesy of BN coordinators, and the 1Malaysia-Penang Welfare Club, which blatantly supports Prime Minister Najib Razak.

While claiming to be an independent entity, the presence of BN leaders and well-connected billionaire Low Teck Jho ( second from left ) at all its events have raised eyebrows as to the timing, purpose and source of funding for the NGO's activities, which included handing over RM150,00 in cash aid to three organisations of journalists.

The DAP claims that such tactics amount to money politics out to ruin its election results, but it is possible that these gimmicks may eventually backfire to the advantage of the opposition.

When approached, several diners expressed gratitude for the food and said such lavish spending was possible only because the BN was not confident of recapturing Penang.

"Indeed, we are grateful to (caretaker) Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng because without him, we wouldn't be enjoying all these," said Suzie Wong, a former Gerakan member, who votes in Batu Lanchang.

"It's really exciting. We should keep BN as the opposition so that we can have carnivals like these," said a graduate student who only wanted to be known as "Bern".

To add to the air of festivity, streets all around Penang are lined with thousands of party flags, of various colours, sizes and affiliations, while many stick out of lamp poles and trees, sometimes posing as a danger to motorists.

The Penang Municipal Council, which has the power to pull down illegal or dangerous banners and flags, appears to be on silent mode as election fever heats up on both sides of the political divide.

The war of flags on the island is largely between the rocket and 1Malaysia flags, which begs the question: which party is contesting in the 13th general election - BN or the 1Malaysia NGO?

"Do you want BN to break the law?" asked state BN Youth information chief H'ng Khoon Leng, when asked why there were fewer BN party flags displayed.

Yet election rules are broken with impunity, with certain quarters displaying outright election materials such as flags asking people to "Vote (for this or that party)" ahead of the official campaign period which is from April 20 to midnight on May 4, with May 5 being voting day.

Accompanying these are hundreds of billboards featuring Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with slogans screaming "Barisan 1Malaysia", which have been placed at strategic points around the state.

Not to be outdone, the state government - led by Pakatan - has put up billboards too featuring caretaker Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng smiling beside messages saying ‘The people's hope - reduce petrol cost', and ‘Free education'.

These are among Pakatan's promises should it take over Putrajaya from the BN.

Where are the BN ceramah?

Pakatan's ceramah, from Bukit Mertajam to Balik Pulau, are often attended by large crowds, especially when Lim, the DAP secretary-general, or Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Permatang Pauh MP, speak.

While the Chinese community has come out in full force at these gatherings, the same cannot be said of their Malay brethren.

For example, most Malays stayed away from a ceramah in their heartland of Tanjong Tokong, a state seat under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency, despite the support of PAS and PKR for its potential candidate Zairil Khir Johari ( right ), Guan Eng's political secretary.

Queried about this after the event, DAP senator Ariffin Omar denied that the party has failed to attract the attention of the Malays.

"Some do not wish to show their support openly for fear of intimidation by the Umno hardcore in their area," Ariffin told Malaysiakini.

"The burning and tearing down of our buntings and flags in that area is a reminder of the psychological intimidation that Umno and its ilk specialise in," added the former lecturer, who is also the party's vice-chairperson.

While Pakatan has been busy disseminating information about its daily activities and nightly talks, journalists are often kept in the dark about the BN's programmes.

But this does mean the BN parties are idle or non-performing as Gerakan and MCA have been reaching out to voters via neighbourhood gatherings and dinners in temples and association premises, while Umno goes house-to-house to win support from its target groups.

Bitter critic

To add fire to its campaign, Umno has enlisted businessperson Ummi Halfida Ali , one of Anwar's most bitter critics, who was a star witness in the former deputy prime minister's Sodomy I trial.

All Ummi ( left ) does is speak of sordid details of Anwar's 'traitorous ways' and sexual links with various personalities, including her brother Azmin Ali, who is PKR's deputy chief and Gombak MP.

Some feel that instead of gutter politics, shouldn't the BN focus on its proposed policies to uplift the status of all communities, especially the Malays, to recapture Penang?

The answer to this has not been forthcoming but the election wave has hit even religious institutions, which are told to stay out of partisan politics.

Joining its Muslim counterpart, which has been actively hearing politicised khutbah in mosques, is the Catholic Church, which recently issued a statement calling on Catholics to speak up for a just society.

"Although the church does not involve in party politics as such, she has the duty to speak up on all areas of human life, including politics, Penang Bishop Sebastian Francis said in a message to Catholics.

"It also means that being spiritual, the church, as people of God, has the right and responsibility to speak up for a just society," Bishop Sebastian said.

This pretty much wraps up what has been happening in Penang for the past few weeks as Malaysians wait with bated breath to cast their votes, three weeks from now.